Foldable luggage



March 24, 1959 J. s. KlvETT FOLDABLE LUGGAGE Filed oct. 22. 195e INVENTOR. Jra/Wz iff/e# A70/@N57 E United States Patent O 2,878,907 FOLDABLE LUGGAGE Jerome S. Kivett, Kansas City, Mo., assignor to Regal Plastic Company, Kansas City., Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application October 22, 1956, Serial No. 617,515 3 Claims. (Cl. 190-41) This invention relates to improvements in lined receptacles or containers such as carrying cases, merchandise-receiving equipment, luggage, valises, equipment carrying cases and the like, and has for its primary object the adaptation of modern-day materials in a manner to present a strong, durable, lightweight and attractive overall construction.

The field to which the instant invention relates has for It is, therefore, the most important object of the present invention to eliminate entirely the common frame support and the disadvantages thereto, my employment of plastic material orV the like capable of being bent, formed or molded into a desired shape, and at the same time form mating flanges at the abutting edges thereof to present a relatively tight seal.

Another important object of the instant invention is to provide a novel lining of one-piece construction adapted to be quickly and easily inserted within the receptacle and bonded thereto for the purpose of hiding unsightly surfaces and present an impervious, easily cleaned, attractive innermost appearance when the receptacle is used as a part of a piece of luggage.

A further object of the instant invention is to provide a novel joint between a pair of articulated, hollow receptacle that serves also as a stilener, thereby permitting use `of the aforementioned materials in a molded construction.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lining for receptacle or luggage construction made pursuant'to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a pieceiof luggage made in accordance with the principles of the instant invention.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on line llI--III of Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 is a plan View of the luggage shown in Fig. 2, parts being broken away for clearness; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on line V--V of Fig. 4.

As is clear in the drawing, the principles of the instant invention have been shown as the same apply advantageously to the construction of a piece of luggage, carrying case or the like, broadly designated -by the numeral 10. To this end, there is illustrated a pair of open-top receptacles 12 and 14, it being understood that regardless of the use made of the receptacles 12 and 14, many advantages emanate from the provision of the novel lining 16 therefor that is initially separate from the receptacles 12 and 14 as seen in Fig. l.

2,878,907 Patented Mar. 2,4, 1959 Each of the receptacles 12 and 14 is preferably made from an initially liat, single sheet of llexible material that may be molded, formed or otherwise shaped into the desired configuration, as for example, that illustrated in the drawing. The lining 16 is likewise made from an initially at, single sheet of material that is appreciably more flexible than the material from which the receptacles 12 and 14 are produced. There are many types of plastic substances readily available on the open market which may be employed for such purposes.

In the interest of economy of production, it is to be preferred that the two luggage sections 12 and 14 be initially identical; however, variances in ornamental configurations may be employed as desired.

While the material from which the sections 12 and 14- is made has a high degree of rigidity and is adapted to maintain the molded configuration illustrated, the open tops thereof are preferably reinforced by continuous, inturned, peripheral flanges 18 and 20 on sections 12 and 14 respectively. The section 12 is additionally provided with an outturned lip 22 integral with the ange 18, but such lip is removed from the flange 20 after fabrication, presenting in the latter a continuous, inwardly facing edge 24 that is overlapped by the lip 22 when the sections 12 and 14 are closed in the manner shown in Figs. 3 to 5 inclusive. The flange 18 presents therefore, a continuous shoulder disposed in opposed relationship to the flange 20 when the case is closed.

The sections 12 and 14 are preferably provided with additional reinforcement adjacent the flanges 18 and 20 thereof which may take the form of continuous bands 26 and 28 respectively attached to the sections 12 and 14 in any suitable manner, and made from relatively rigid material such as metal or any other stiff substance. It is notable in the drawing also that the shape and configuration of the bands 26 and 28 may vary, the band 26 chosen for illustration being flat transversely thereof, whereas the band 28 illustrated in the drawing is of L-shaped, cross-sectional configuration.

The highly liexible, impervious lining 16 for the section 12 is shaped to conform to the configuration of the inner surface of the section 12 and preferably attached thereto through use of a suitable adhesive, bonding together the interengaging faces 4of the section 12 and the liner 16. It is noted that the lining 16 covers, and, therefore, hides the band 26 and is provided with a continuous peripheral groove 30 that receives the lip 22 and extends into a continuous outturned flap 32 -in covering relationship to the flange or shoulder 18.

Lining 34 for the section 14 is of a similar nature in that it is provided with a continuous groove 36 that covers the edge 24 and is provided with a continuous out turned flap 38 that overlaps the ange 20. Additionally, by virtue of the configuration of the reinforcing band 28, the lining 34 has a continuous groove 40 which receives the reinforcing band 28.

As above mentioned, itfis to be preferred that the linings 16 and 34 be adhesively or otherwise bonded directly to the inner surfaces of their corresponding sections or receptacles 12 and 14, and similarly, it is desirable that the aps 32 and 38 be firmly attached to their corresponding flanges 18 and 20 respectively. When the case is closed, therefore, it is seen that the flaps 32 and 38 are clamped together between the`flanges 18 and 20, presenting therefore, a positive seal that will effectively protect garments or other equipment carried in the case 10 from dust, moisture and other elements.

The bands 26 and 28 serve still another important function in the article of manufacture 10 when the sections 12 and 14 thereof are articulated in that the same present means for fastening the necessary hardware, including hinges 42, handle 44 and clasps 46.

and other shapes and congurations as may be desired simply by providing a suitable mold or form around which the same are shaped.

Again, it is to be stressed that open-top, imperforate receptacles for many uses other than in the iield of lug- -Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A case comprising a pair of hollow, one-piece, imperforate, articulated receptacles, each having a continuceptacle being provided with a reinforcing band mounted therewlthin adjacent said liange thereof; a lining covering the inner surface of each receptacle respectively and the reinforcing band thereof, said linings being initially separate from the receptacles and each comprising a onepiece, imperforate, hollow body of exible material conreceptacle and the other of said linings having a continuous, outwardly-facing groove receiving the liange and the lip of said other receptacle; and means bonding together the interengaging surfaces of the linings and their receptacles.

2. A case comprising a pair of hollow, imperforate, articulated receptacles each having a continuous inturned flange, the ange of one of the receptacles terminating in an inwardly facing edge, the flange of the other receptacle having an integral outturned lip, the flanges being in abutlnings having a continuous, outwardly facing groove receiving the flange and the lip yof said other receptacle.

3. A case comprising a pair of hollow, imperforate,

hollow body of exible material conforming in shape to the inner surfaces of corresponding receptacles and having outwardly facing grooves receiving corresponding inturned anges of respective receptacles.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 860,807 Kahlow July 23, 1907 1,611,494 Strauss Dec. 21, 1926 1,624,070 Quigan Apr. 12, 1927 1,709,701 Althol Apr. 16, 1929 2,228,907 Clark Jan. 14, 1941 2,339,907 Bracken Jan. 25, 1944 2,565,939 Wriston Aug. 28, 1951 2,781,551 Richerod Feb. 19, 1957 

